Choosing the right products

3 simple questions to help you choose the right products for your skin:

1. What products do I need?

Cleanser, toner, moisturizer, exfoliating scrub and sunscreen – these are the skincare essentials (refer to “A Recommended Skincare Regime” for more information) everyone needs to maintain healthy skin. 

Others with acne-congested or dehydrated skins may require pimple treatment fluid or hydrating serum on top of the basic products in their daily routine. Follow the proper skincare regime and you’re on your way to healthy skin from within.

2. What products do I want?

Here, we ask ourselves, “How do we want to look better?” Some of us want to whiten our skin while others may want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We add on products which can enhance our appearance to our skincare basket.

A common pitfall encountered by many people is to lump our needs and wants together. It is always important to prioritize (needs before wants) and decide on which is the more important skin condition to focus on. If you have congested skin and would also like to whiten your skin tone, using an acne treatment product and a whitening product at the same time is not likely to work out and may, on the contrary, decrease the efficacy of both products. In this case, it is advised to concentrate on treating the acne, which is the more important concern, first. After the acne has been cleared, you can proceed with the whitening treatment.

3. What products should I use?

For those who are unsure of which brand to purchase, it can be quite a daunting experience to enter a retail pharmacy where dozens of skincare lines lie scattered across the store. One thing is common – all these brands promise visible results. So, how do you choose? Even as you finally decide on a brand, you are faced with rows of different product ranges, leaving you clueless once again at which products to pick.

Try to read up on the products beforehand from magazines, brochures or online. You may even want to check out reviews posted in forums by people who have used the products before. Feel free to consult derma-advisors who are present at store counters to help answer your enquiries and introduce products suitable for your skin types and lifestyles. Ask them for a skin diagnosis if you are unsure and hear their recommendations. Samples are usually available for interested customers who want to try the product before making a purchase.  

Simple guidelines to selecting the right products:

• If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for cleansers and moisturizers which are gel-based and non-comedogenic (non-poreclogging).
• Cream-based products which are richer in content are suitable for those with normal or dry skin.
• People with sensitive skin are usually advised to use products which do not contain alcohol, fragrances and preservatives for fear of allergic reactions.
• These properties are usually indicated on the product packaging. If unsure, always approach the derma-advisors instead of risking using the wrong products.

Know your skin, choose the right products. Bear in mind not to be overambitious with skincare products. Try not to use too many products on your face and do not expect results to show overnight. The skin renewal process takes 28 days so allow sufficient time for results to be seen.